Friday, August 31, 2012

You knew this was inevitable. And to be perfectly honest, they aren't wrong for raising the question.

An activist group called "Play Fair at Farmer's Field" coalition has announced their intention to file a lawsuit against the state of California. Their beef: The state rubber stamped the plan and process which limits the time frame anybody can file suit challenging the project.

Oh...the group hasn't actually FILED the suit yet.

Senate Bill 292 says that any group who wants to file suit, has to go straight to the 2nd District Court of Appeals, not the city of Los Angeles.

While it is certainly with the law for the state to do what they did, it just kind of looks bad. The impression is the rules are different for a gazillionaire such as Philip Anschutz if he's willing to spend half a gazillion to build a stadium and try to get an NFL team to play there.

Notice the keyword "Try"...

And while AEG is financing the majority of the project, it still comes at a price to taxpayers. One that some aren't totally enamored with.

But that is how it works with big boy sports. If you live in a city with an "Older" stadium or a city trying to "Draw" a team, you will be on the hook for a chunk of it. And remember these deals are being made by people who have enough money to pay for it themselves. But remember the old addage "Why spend my money if I can spend yours?" Well, that is how it works with Pro Sports and with Politicians these days.

South Carolina just got out of Vanderbilt alive 17-13
Here's the OBC talking about survival and Connor Shaw got out alive- although he gets a lot of bonus points for being a tough SOB...
((HT: ABCColumbia))
UConn welcomed UMass to Division I with a 37-0 shutout at Renschler Field. It was the first time the two schools played each other since 1999, when both schools were Division I-AA... it wasn't even close...
((HT: WTNH-TV))

"Riley
[Nelson] is competitive and so tough," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall
said. "He has great leadership and that suits him really well. He demands
respect, and when it's hurry up, he gets everyone to the line and pushes the
ball forward."

Lisa Halverstadt reports that now since potential Phoenix Coyotes owner Greg Jamison claims he has the money to get ready for his US$324-million purchase of the team, the Glendale City Council wants to rework the lease since...

From the article:

"...the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled last week that a initiative with a goal of reversing a sales-tax hike expected to help Glendale cover its bills, including next year's budgeted $17 million arena-management fee to Jamison, should appear on the November ballot. The city has since asked the state Supreme Court to weigh in on the latter matter."

In a closed-door session, the City Council decided that until amendments are made to the proposal and Jamison actually does buy the team, that they won't sign the deal...

This was Jamison back in May...
((HT: NHLVideo/MyGlendale11))

If the high courts keep the sales tax vote on November's ballot and it gets voted down, then $20-million goes out the window...

And that won't go over well for the long-term success of the team in Arizona...

"Allen Pinkett made unacceptable comments this week about student athletes," Notre Dame broadcaster IMG said in a statement. "Notre Dame is taking on Navy at the Emerald Isle Classic in Dublin is an historic game showcasing the very best of American college sports. The event deserves to be free of distraction."

The Notre Dame color analyst went on 670AM in Chicago and was asked about the recent string of player suspensions leading up to the Navy game. He thought out loud that having a few "bad apples" wasn't necessarily a bad idea...

"In reviewing my remarks from a radio interview Wednesday, it's clear that I chose my words poorly and that an apology is in order for these inappropriate comments," Pinkett said in the statement. " My words do not reflect the strong pride and passion I have for the Notre Dame football program.

"I am deeply sorry and did not intend to take away the focus from the upcoming season opener. I especially would like to offer my sincere apology to the current members of Notre Dame’s football team, including Coach Kelly, the entire Notre Dame community, the IMG College Audio Network and the Ohio State football program. As a proud Notre Dame graduate, I wish nothing but the best for our football team and the University.

"I understand that there may be consequences to my actions and accept whatever discipline is imposed."

He's lucky he wasn't fired outright...

More when we know more...

2115 UPDATE: According to Chet Coppock, his sources are telling him that Pinkett has now been fired...

Below are segments of the release from IMG College Radio and the University

"Allen has done a great job for the Notre Dame IMG Radio network over the past four years, has a supportive fan base, and most importantly, has expressed deep heartfelt remorse for his choice of words, which were not in the spirit of college athletics," Notre Dame IMG Radio Network said in a statement. "After careful deliberation and thorough discussion, we believe the right decision is to allow a truly repentant Allen Pinkett an opportunity to return to the booth beginning with the fourth game of the college football season."

"I love this school as much as I love my kids and would never want to compromise the ethics and morals of my alma mater, Notre Dame," Pinkett said in a statement. "I would again like to offer my most sincere and heartfelt apology to all those affected by my inappropriate comments, particularly the University, the school's hard-working and courageous student athletes, all Fighting Irish fans and team supporters, our friends at The Ohio State University, and my colleagues at IMG Notre Dame Radio Network.

"This offering of forgiveness is an extremely humbling life lesson. I will work very hard to make the most of this second chance in representing the high standards and proud tradition of Notre Dame football."

Here are highlights from the first game Pinkett missed...
((HT: NotreDameAthletics))

Leach’s Washington State team will toss the football
around the field.Other than that Wazzou
doesn’t have a whole lot.There are concerns
about the Cougar offensive line and the defense is just not up to par.

BYU is a veteran team and head coach Bronco
Mendenhall likes how physical his team is. While BYU’s secondary will be tested
by Wazzou’s receivers their trio of linebackers, Kyle Van
Noy, Brandon Ogletree and Uona Kaveinga are pretty darn good.Van Noy is the star of the group.

Bottom line Wazzou will do some
good things but BYU will wear down the Washington State defense and should win
this game rather easy.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Police have arrested three suspects in the assault on Wisconsin running back Montee Ball. Ball sustained a concussion when he was attacked by several men near campus August 1st. All three are listed as Wisconsin students- Wendell J. Venerable, Deonte J. Wilson and Robert A. Wilks.

They were all arrested on charges of "party to the crime of substantial battery."

Ball has said he had nothing to do with the fight on the 1st.

On Wilson's Facebook page he had posted a status update, according to WISC-TV. It read, in part, "I have been non-violent for well over a year now, yet they are trying to crucify me because somebody has to take the blame..."

Our friends from Missouri Fifth Down have another song related to the Tigers entry into the SEC.This one goes country.

Did you pick up the reference to Mizzou’s success against SEC teams from nearly 50 years ago.I wonder if their fathers were alive when Missouri defeated Florida 20-18 in the 1966 Sugar Bowl.By the way the head ball coach threw for 352 yards and 2 touchdowns in that one.

Then they refer to the Alabama – Missouri game at Faurot Field in Columbia in 1978.Yes Mizzou “wasn’t that bad” but the Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers 38-20 en route to a national championship.

In fairness Mizzou wasn’t that bad in ’78.That team finished 8-4 and featured Kellen Winslow, James Wilder and Phil Bradley and ended the season 15th ranked nationally.

The Crimson Tide return to Columbia October 13th.Things will be different.

Those of us in the OSG HQ are digging Fifth Down’s music videos.Keep’m coming.

In all the talks about the NBA's Sacramento Kings, the HQ has heard staying, moving to Anaheim and being bought by the Samueli family, and moving to either Seattle for the proposed arena there or going even further up the coast to Vancouver...

"To sit back and tell you I don't want a professional sports team in Virginia Beach- I'd be lying. I really do," mayor Will Sessoms admitted. "I think it would be tremendously supported by Virginia Beach and our region."

But he doesn't want to do it on the backs of his taxpayers...

"Are they willing to put money into the project or are they willing to give up revenues generated from the project to pay for it? What can we do with the Commonwealth of Virginia - will they step up and pay for this project? Will the NBA, if they were to be a partner, step up and give money or whatever professional sports group there is?," Sessoms told WVEC.

From 13WVEC themselves.:

KXTV, the ABC station in Sacramento, tells 13News that Maloof/Kings spokesman Troy Hanson said the Maloof family "gets calls from cities all the time" but that there was nothing imminent with any city, including Virginia Beach.

Thursday UPDATE: After the meeting, Comcast-Spectacor Peter Luukko was divulged to have been the one who spoke to the city- but, surprising no one, any mention of the Sacramento Kings didn't happen...
Here's the "After..."

And it's another reason as to why news needs to be news and sports stays with sports...unless you want to open yourself up to pot shots...

The HQ doesn't talk politics, for the most part, and we certainly don't talk about food (or something like that)...

David Menzies, the HQ will admit, has just as much a right to opine on what he wants to, even it's a poorly-found opinion- much like JT found when Menzies said in the Huffington Post that Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke needed to stop hiding behind the gay flag when it comes to bullying and have it only apply there and nowhere else...

But in a hockey-crazed town like Toronto where the Leafs are life and life is the Leafs, everyone has their chance to call their shot...

And Menzies tried...

Boy, did he try... from left field... talking about how Carlyle's desire to change things up made him a bad coach...
Maybe if Ty Pennington or Paige Davis had made the accusation, it would have made more sense...

The defending champs, Manchester City, are trying to figure out how to make up for the lack of Sergio Aguero...

It's adding up to a little Tevez, a little Toure, a little Nasri, and a little everyone else...

The Citizens are having problens at Anfield, traditionally, and it continued on Sunday against Liverpool. But were it not for the best of Martin Skrtel and the worst of Martin Skrtel (coming out in the same 90 minute period), it would have been another day without points.

But Suarez had a beautiful free kick to also get in the scoring book...
Evidence below...

So...Brian Kelly has suspended 4 players to start the season. No, it probably won't have a huge impact vs. Navy, though it might after that when they play Purdue. One of the 4 sitting is last years starting QB Tommy Rees, though Rees may not have been able to win the starting job this season, even if he wasn't in trouble.

Back at the end of May, White Sox play-by-play guy Ken "Hawk" Harrelson decided to give the umps what-fer because of what he thought was a lack of a strike zone- since manager Robin Ventura had been ejected for arguing balls and strikes.

He was called to the carpet of the Commish and said his days of kvetching were over...

Well, not so much...
Ventura and catcher AJ Pierzynski were tossed last night in a game against the Seattle Mariners...

AJ said the discussion was on something different...
((HT: CSNChicago))

And Ventura thought that he wasn't all that mad about it...

So, Hawk said things like this last night about home plate ump Lance Barrett...
"I'll tell you this is absolutely ridiculous. This is absolutely ridiculous."

"Lance Barrett has been absolutely brutal. Brutal."

"Lance Barrett has just stunk the joint up is all he's done. That's all he's done."

"He's terrible."

So... whaddya think Hawk gets another call and has to make another apology...???

Tsk, tsk, tsk. Whatever will Auburn do? Opening day is now less than a week away. (The Tigers face Clemson in Atlanta this coming Saturday)

We suspect indefinitely will be at least one, maybe 2 games. But that is probably it. And knowing we have an Auburn readership, no, we aren't demeaning you for this. That's pretty much standard for incidents like this in most schools.

It's just the timing that's unfortunate for you Auburn fan...you want all your starters ready to go when the opening bell rings.

Hmmm...it's amazing what happens when a team having to scrape by on pennies for a couple of years all of a sudden is sold to a guy with gazillion's of dollars to spend.

That's what happened over the last 48 hours as the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a massive trade with the Boston Red Sox.

The end result, the Dodgers get Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett along with Nick Punto for James Loney and 4 minor leaguer's. Granted the minor league guys were all prospects, but still a strange trade.

The Dodgers take on some $250 million more in Salary and the Red Sox clear space for next year. The Dodgers are 3 back of San Francisco as we write this, the Red Sox, all but out of the playoff's.

Our Take: The Dodgers are going out on a limb. A BIG limb. Gonzalez hasn't been the same guy he was since leaving San Diego. Crawford is and has been hurt...and done nothing in Boston. Beckett has been pretty good, though he has sucked so far this year. And now, if this doesn't work out...there's nobody of note left in the minor league system to bail them out.

And the Sox, finally stop trying to be "The Yankees" north. They have the flexibility and depth in the system to get much younger, leaner and probably in the long run...better.

Sure, there are a lot of baseball people who said "Oh, crap, the Dodgers just bought the championship". To them we say "Settle Down".

They may win won someday, but anyone who follows baseball closely knows you don't win on paper. And while on "Paper" they have lots of big names, unless those names live up to their paychecks, this may be a decision the Dodgers regret for a long, long time.

SUNDAY UPDATE: So, Gonzalez hits a home run in his Dodgers debut- good enough for the 8-2 win...

Friday, August 24, 2012

St. Louis head coach Rick Majerus has announced that he's stepping aside for the 2012-13 season to take care of some health problems.

He took time off on three separate occasions in the past, but he's never done it at the start of the season. Assistant coach Jim Crews starts as the interim head coach immediately.

Here's how Frank Cusumano delivered the breaking news..."Rick is in a California hospital undergoing evaluation and treatment for an ongoing heart condition," SLU AD Chris May said in a statement. "His health is the most important issue right now, and our hope is for full and complete recovery."
Majerus went 26-8 last year and took the Billikens to their first NCAA tournament bid since 1998, and the team won its first tournament game since 1994.
And here's the KTVI-TV version of events...

Arizona Diamondbacks TV analyst Mark Grace was arrested for DUI and released pending a complaint filing for Aggravated DUI, an expired registration plate, lacking a required interlocking device, and driving on a suspended license from a previous DUI in May of 2011...

The arrest was announced as a news release stated Grace is taking an indefinite leave of absence from his job as television color analyst for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Grace "has requested an indefinite leave of absence to seek personal assistance. Due to the nature of Grace’s request, the team will have no further comment on the matter at this time" according to a press release from the Arizona Diamondbacks

Sadly, it's malaprops like the one below that Gracie is known for these days more than anything... we just hope he gets the help he needs...
((HT: FSArizona/youtube))

The school and coach Dan Mullen haven't said much. They just say they've been cooperating with the NCAA in investigating a potential recruiting irregularity.

There are a couple of things that standout here. One, if Mirando suddenly resigned like this just before the season, something was wrong. Two, where there's smoke there is almost always fire. We get the school going on media lockdown, but things are leaking out.

One other thing to note, a separate report in the Memphis Commercial Appeal mentions the head coach of Redmond's 7 on 7 team has been questioned by the NCAA as well. And you can draw the line yourself, but that same team also featured Auburn running back Jovon Robinson. Robinson's recruitment is also under investigation by the NCAA.

Well, the thought of Roger Clemens coming back to pitch for the Houston Astros has at least been discussed.

We know this because Astros owner Jim Crane admitted as much to Fox 26 TV in Houston on Thursday.

Crane says he and his staff are preparing for the possibility the multiple Cy Young winning 50-year old shows up on the mound at Minute Maid Park. Though Crane says he'll "Have extensive discussions with Major League Baseball" before he pulls the trigger.

Clemens will pitch for the Sugar Land Skeeters on Saturday and no, he isn't denying the talk. He thinks if it goes well, it "Could lead to bigger things", things he says he'll discuss later.

Crane just basically confirmed the speculation by opening his pie hole. And since his Astros are by a LARGE margin the worst team in baseball and closing in on worst team in history territory, they've got nothing to lose. It sure sounds like he's planning on doing this...unless Clemens looks terrible on Saturday.

Why not trot out a 50-year old legend who can still throw in the mid 80's and see if he can put some butts in seats? Crane says most of the money will go to local charities which is nice, but it is still all about getting attention. Attention for his woebegone franchise and more importantly, a chance to provide Clemens an opportunity to rehab his image. (Unless he gets shelled)

Stay tuned, we're guessing this story will be around awhile.

Here's a story on Clemens's re-emergence from CBS News (because Fox doesn't believe in video on their websites)

Here's the statement released by Armstrong...
“Today I turn the page. I will no longer address this issue, regardless of the circumstances. I will commit myself to the work I began before ever winning a single Tour de France title: serving people and families affected by cancer, especially those in underserved communities. This October, my Foundation will celebrate 15 years of service to cancer survivors and the milestone of raising nearly $500 million. We have a lot of work to do and I'm looking forward to an end to this pointless distraction. I have a responsibility to all those who have stepped forward to devote their time and energy to the cancer cause. I will not stop fighting for that mission.”
Think what you want of the acts by both USADA and Armstrong, but none of this surprises the HQ at all...

It's commonplace as a lot of other things one associates with football in the south- sports in the south, really...

There's a fair amount of prayer and thanksgiving and making a point to whatever your God may believe in your future...

Unless, of course, you're a member of something called the FFRF- the Freedom From Religion Foundation- a Wisconsin-based think tank that believes that all that could be holy during high school football games is a violation of the separation of church and state...

Ridgeland (GA) High School coach Mark Mariakis is now catching it from the FFRF for taking his seemingly multi-denominational tour of support to different churches and having his players pray at games.

Here's the rundown on that idea...

Really...???
Yep, really...

Apparently, the FFRF believes in wasting everyone's time and have never attended any kind of event in the south at all...

Well, well, well. It appears the University of Georgia had a visitor at practice this week in Sanford Stadium. That visitor appears, at least by the photo, to be none other than Samuel L. Jackson his-ownself.

We think the picture, provided by @WeRunThisState (UGA Football's official Twitter account) on Twitter was taken at Wednesday's scrimmage, but thus far, we've seen no report to confirm this. That's Bulldog head coach Mark Richt with his back to you.

And really, there isn't any special reason we mention this other than we think Samuel L. Jackson epitomizes "Cool" and we are guessing his appearance probably went over pretty well out there in Athens.

We're guessing this wasn't part of his pep talk to the team: (but how cool would it be if it was)

This is a little bit of a rant and goes somewhat counter to what we want to say here because we know that any acknowledgement of the existence of Pond Scum like Skip Bayless just makes ESPN more eager to keep him on TV.

The latest reason that the man has no business on TV or arguably reporting period is this: He makes a random comment about New York Yankees Shortstop Derrick Jeter on his show that nobody watches saying; “How could I not wonder is he using something? If you’re Derek Jeter,
would you think about using HGH right now because I would. How would
you not? Would you not think about it?”

Really?

Was that necessary?

Yeah, sure, we fully understand that Bayless's role is to play "The Heel" sports guy. He tries incredibly hard to take the negative or unpopular viewpoint on EVERYTHING. It's what he's being paid to do.

But when you make comments like that in a place like oh, say New York, then you get a swarm of reporters who feel they have to report on it.

Which is exactly what the AP did. They did a full length story on it and asked Jeter point blank. And all of a sudden, Jeter has to defend himself as to why he's having a good season at age 38 after struggling last year. Mind you nobody has EVER insinuated that he might be associated with anything illegal...at any time.

There are quite a few in the Sports Community who are pissed off at the AP for reporting this. And they should be. We shouldn't be giving low-life's like Skip Bayless the time of day. But yet we do. And inevitably someone thinks they should ask the same question.

And what is worse: ESPN feeds off of it. The more the Internet community and Sports community in general acknowledge this guy's existence, the more they try shoving him down our collective throats. Because that is what ESPN is slowly becoming. Not an organization that takes pride in high-quality journalism, which they do on occasion, but rather one that takes ANY publicity as good publicity and then repeats the cycle over...and over again. (See Tim Tebow's birthday)

Reports are streaming out of Knoxville, Tennessee Thursday morning that University of Tennessee wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers has been suspended indefinitely for what is being termed a "Violation of Team Policies".

No, we don't know what that means and the school has yet to comment on the report by VolQuest.com, a Rivals website that cover UT Football.

The site says Rogers, who was the team's leading returning receiver, an all-SEC and all-American candidate is NOT listed on the team's depth chart heading into the first game of the season in a little over a week.

Rogers made some headlines earlier this summer when he claimed he was looking to possibly transfer closer to home. He's been a lightning rod for some occasional "Odd" behavior during his time on Rocky Top and losing him doesn't bode well for UT.

There should be some sort of coment from Vol coach Derrick Dooley after Thursday's practice. We're guessing Dooley is hoping the team bonds together and overcomes, because unfortunately if they don't have a stellar 2012 season, he's likely to find himself unemployed come December.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The HQ knew this was coming down the pipeline and this is only a part of the interview that was done for the campaign involving the town of Pike Road, Alabama (just outside Montgomery) and the Mayoral race...

Gordon Stone is the incumbent and was an Auburn football player in the 1980's and he enlisted the presence of his old football coach for his latest round of advertisements...it's in the middle of the ad...

We can't wait for the stuff from the cutting room floor to make it out alive...

The election is coming soon... and if more Coach Dye makes it out, we'll see if it can be turned...

First it was the Melky Cabrera saga over on the Bay... which is still ongoing... and now inland, it's Bartolo Colon and his suspension for 50 games for testing positive for testosterone levels above the norm.

"I apologize to the fans, to my teammates and to the Oakland A's," Colon said in a statement released by the MLBPA. "I accept responsibility for my actions and I will serve my suspension as required by the joint drug program."

Here's what the fans think...

The suspension is for the last 40 games of the regular season and the next 10 games- wherever they are (post-season or next season)...

Colon is out almost $470,000, but he would have earned another $250,000 if he started in his turn in the A's rotation Thursday.

Two NCAA enforcement officials visited Kentucky freshman Nerlens Noel's New Hampshire prep school to ask about his recruitment process.

Pete Thamel over at SI is revealing that the NCAA is investigating the how and the who around Noel and how his unofficial visits were paid for. Noel is regarded as the number one recruit in the country and, probably, the top pick in next year's NBA draft.

FOSG MJ Perino has the True Blue details...

Noel is enrolled as a freshman and the University anticipates that all freshmen will be eligible when the season starts...

A mere 2 months after the scathing Freeh Report from Penn State that vilified former school President Graham Spanier, Spanier finally is responding.

Wednesday morning one of his lawyers held a Press Conference in Philadelphia saying that the Freeh Report on how the Jerry Sandusky scandal was handled was "Nothing short of absurd" and that there was nothing in it that incriminated his client.

And...he's right, his client isn't charged with anything other than ignoring warnings of a sexual predator in his midst on the premise of "Protecting the Penn State Way". Which for some strange reason seems to be everyone's defense of this. Now, yes, we are aware the Grand Jury in Centre County may be investigating him, but thus far, no charges are forthcoming.

Oh...did we mention that Spanier was interviewed by Josh Elliot of ABC and the interview "Coincidentally" will be airing Wednesday night?

ABC is trumpeting the "Get" with a press release which you can read RIGHT HERE

Okay.

First thought: This is an attempt to try and salvage Spanier's career in academia. And it's already too late. Does anyone not think this is the pleading of a desperate man? If Spanier is so "Innocent" why was there not an "Immediate" retort? Could we have possibly been plotting a way to respond while not trying to sound as guilty as he does in the Freeh Report?

We kind of hate to publicize stuff like this, but it's all over the mainstream media now. And we'll get a full day of breathless ABC teases saying things like "Graham Spanier, what did he know about Jerry Sandusky? He speaks to our Josh Elliot, that story LIVE at 6:30"

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

How many hardcore sports people saw this coming? Yeah, I know, The Lovely Bride wasn't surprised at all, but she actually watches shows like "Live with Kelly and formerly Regis". But we don't.

According to Broadcasting and Cable magazine, that show will now be called "Live with Kelly and Michael". That's because former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan will take over the job left open by Regis Philbin on the morning talker.

No, we really never pictured Strahan as a all-purpose yuckster who relates well to women, but then again, we don't really know him that well.

Oh, apparently Strahan will keep his gig on FOX's NFL Studio show on Sunday's.

Alrighty then. Sure, we know Strahan isn't the first football player to make a jump like this. Heck, defensive meanie Alex Karras is better known as Webster's dad then as an all-pro defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions. So yeah, it does happen.

And sure, we've seen Strahan in his Subway commercials, he's sort of funny. In fact he's been rather successful as a commercial "Go-To" guy, maybe that's the reason he gets to now sit next to the perennially perky Kelly Ripa?

For those wondering, here's a clip from the Regis and Kelly version...

It appears Minnesota State head football coach Todd Hoffner is in a LOT of trouble. Hoffner was escorted from the school's practice field this past Friday and booked in the Blue Earth County Jail earlier today.

This might be the first step in the Jacksonville Jaguars moving to Los Angeles, or it just might be the first step in anyone else moving to Los Angeles...

The St. Louis Rams thought they were going to be the team playing in London in 2013 and 2014, but they backed out and that left Jacksonville- unless the Glazer family (owners of the Tampa Bay Bucs and Manchester United) decide they're going to be London's team...

Which they might...

But, in the interim, the Jags are jumping overseas...

Here's the Jolly Roger...Owner Shad Khan wrote a letter to season ticket holders explaining the why behind it all...
In short:
"My ambition is to make the Jaguars one of the signature franchises in the NFL and to see Jacksonville realize its full potential as a destination for commerce, tourism and living.
"An annual home game in London over four years, supported by initiatives in Jacksonville and throughout the United Kingdom to further develop our following, will help us achieve these goals and much more."
This should get interesting... quoting Ol' JR...

Yes, this is where the power currently sits. The top 3 here more than likely would win the East, but they aren't in the East...so they can't.

1) LSU 12-0, 8-0 in the conference

Overview: This is the best team in the SEC, even without the Honey Badger. And the deepest. They need Zack Mettenberger to be better than Jordan Jefferson was, which shouldn't be difficult. If that happens, nobody will stop them.

Offense: QB Mettenberger is a classic, drop back thrower. He's not fast, but doesn't have to be. With a 4-deep set of running backs and a slew of receivers, as long as the blocking is good, this will be a much, much better unit than in 2011

Defense: Losing Tyrnann Mathieu will hurt, but it seems like they just keep trotting out amazing athletes to play on defense. And as long as Barkevious Mingo is there to take a bite out of people, the D-Line is going to be really good.

Our Thoughts: The only potential stumbling block is the Alabama game...and that is going to be played in Death Valley. Probably in Prime Time. They will be, shall we say, motivated for that one. Seriously, unless Mettenberger gets hurt, nobody is beating them this season.

2) Alabama 11-1, 7-1 in conference

Overview: The only challenge will be the nighttime game in Baton Rouge the first weekend of November... the HQ figures that, by the way we've structured things, you can determine who we think will win...

Offense: QB A.J McCarron figures to get better if they can find a wide receiver. Eddy Lacy becomes the man and the line is deep. Really deep and experienced. Don't expect them to get in many shootouts, because while the offense is pretty good, they aren't great.

Defense: Nick Saban's calling card. But they lost 7 starters after the season and need a LOT of guys without experience to step up. There's a lot of youth. But LB Nico Johnson, S Robert Lester and CB Dee Milliner are pretty much it.

Our Thoughts: They'll be very, very good, but the inexperience on defense will hurt them. They should win everything except the LSU game, though they are going to be exposed. We wouldn't be surprised if someone upsets them early.

3) Arkansas 10-2, 6-2 in the conference

Overview: It will be really interesting to see how they handle the transition from Petrino to the slightly less stable John L. Smith. As long as Tyler Wilson and Knile Davis stay healthy though, they have a chance to beat anyone they play.

Offense: QB Wilson is arguably the SEC's best. Assuming he isn't sulking from Petrino's departure, he'll keep them in most games. They do need a WR to step up though, there are no Joe Adams or Greg Childs to rescue them. The running backs and line are solid and will supplement the passing game.

Defense: Well, they lost their 4 best players and their coordinator. But aside from that, well, they aren't the two teams ahead of them. Thankfully they are good enough to outscore most people. Perhaps the two biggest names are Tank Wright and Alonzo Highsmith Jr, both Linebackers.

Our thoughts: They'll be pretty good, and quite honestly should win every game but the LSU and Bama games. Much like Alabama there are a TON of questions on defense. As long as John L. doesn't cost them a game or two with bizarre coaching 101, they'll be fine.

Now, to Group Two... you can, pretty much, put a blanket over the three of these guys... they'll all be in the hunt for other early bowls and should cancel out each other's attempts at getting closer to the top of the division...

4) Auburn 7-5, 4-4 in the conference

Overview: The team has tried to find its identity at quarterback with any of four different guys taking snaps behind center last season. The defense has kept the Tigers in games and kept them out of games. Graduation took out another chunk of the squad that was very young last year...

Offense: Is it Kiehl Frazier, Moseley, or Trotter with some CJ Uzomah thrown in like last year, or will they settle on one guy...??? Whoever it is will have all-world H-Back Phillip Lutzkenkirchen to throw to along with Emory Blake. But losing two seniors on the line doesn't help...

Defense: Only two seniors leave, and most Auburn fans are happy Neiko Thorpe is one of them. The young get a year older, and that's important...

Our Thoughts: They aren't on the "Elite" level the teams ahead of them are. The offense will have to find its identity and the defense will have to carry the team early on... if it can't, The Chiz will have a long year...

5) Miss State 7-5.4-4 in the conferenceOverview: Dan Mullen is getting his stamp put on the Starkville program and his identity is defined by tough defense and an electric offense- we're seeing both now...

Offense: Tyler Russell and Jameon Lewis are the one-two to pay attention to for the Bulldogs and they should put up a lot of numbers... Mullen is confident that this is his deepest backfield since he started at the school...

Defense: Johnathan Banks will be getting a lot of attention in the secondary, and not just for being in the secondary. He'll get a lot of play everywhere Mullen will let him. But, when everyone throws away from him, how will the rest of the guys help out...???

Outlook: The early, soft schedule gets them to a good start (5-2 or 6-1), but it's all downhill from there...

6) Texas A&M 6-6, 2-6 in the conference.

Overview: Gentlemen, we give you...the deep end of the pool. Please commence swimming. We like this program and think Kevin Sumlin is a good coach, but he has some holes to fix.

Offense: A&M fans are going to miss Ryan Tannehill whether they realize it yet or no. Redshirt freshman Johnny Manziel is the starting quarterback... Really...??? Really...??? But he will have O-Lineman Luke Joeckel (a pre-season Outland watch-list nominee) protecting part of his backside.

Defense: Damontre Moore is one of the better players on that side of the ball, but they're moving him to defensive end from linebacker... and interesting transition, for sure...Outlook: Year One will be an adventure... the HQ thinks the Aggies won't be swimming too well this year, but give them some time.

7) Ole Miss 4-8, 2-6 in the conference

Overview: What happens when you're in a situation that wasn't your doing and you get to try and fix it...??? Just ask Hugh Freeze... that's his new job in Oxford...

Offense: The HQ has seen Freeze ever since his Lambuth days, so we know what he does. He finds the tallest, most athletic guys he can find, outs them on the edge and gets a quarterback who can play out of the shotgun and throw his arm off getting it to the receivers.

A lot of yards, a lot of points, a lot of mistakes...

Defense: The problem with the above category is that you will need guys who can stay out on the field for a long time if football's version of pong has more negative than positive. That will happen here... "too tired" will be a phrase uttered by a lot of pundits in fourth quarters this year...

Outlook: Recruits will fall in love with new head coach Hugh Freeze's offense, but Colonel Reb will have a lot of catching up to do to compete in the conference.